Some of my favorite things to do on snow days with my brothers was making forts. The kind where the entire room had sheets and special spaces. My mother would add to the fun by providing us with flashlights. I realize now what a great timebuster this was in our house. We spent a great deal of time getting the forts just right...and then exploring the spaces. Of course within a certain amount of time, my brothers had sufficiently scared me that I timed out...also part of their plan now that I think of it!

Here are some of the games and activities that are fun to share on this kind of day at home:

2006 Award

Laugh and Learn Learning Home(Fisher-Price $70 Score: ) For the get-about toddler, this “little house” is just the right size for active play and making things happen. It has a door that opens and shuts and is big enough to crawl through, lights that turn off and on, doorbell that rings, ball drop, and shape sorter, among other interesting activities. A great first birthday gift to enjoy throughout this year and probably next. It is a big toy, but if you have the room, it’s a good choice for solo or two-tot play! They say 6 months to 3. We’d say one and up would be a better bet. (800) 432-5437.

Right off the bat, we loved the sound of the click play board as it spins. The spinning board adds interesting twists to the game (as you play the regular game of trying to discard all of your cards), including trading your hand with another player, showing all your cards to your opponents, or a variation on war. 7 & up. (800) 524-8697.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years. Award Year: 2007. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

2009 Award

I Spy Ready, Set, Silhouette!(Briarpatch $16.95 Score: ) Good fun! A new matching game that uses approx. 3” square color playing cards with multiple images and see through silhouette cards that players must match to the colored cards. Winner is the one who has the most pairs. This challenges looking at details, but also turning the cards to find the matches. Many have similar images but in varying arrangements, so this is harder than it appears at first glance. Also a good game for knowing and naming the items pictured to develop vocabulary. A great game for 2-4 players or even fun for solo matching. 5 & up.
The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

A great new active family game that combines the action of the Italian classic Bocce with a ring toss and extra twists! Everyone puts on a "wrist tracker" set at zero. "It" tosses the soft foam Boochie Ball about 12 feet away. Now players take turns tossing their color-coded hoops and balls as close to the 12-sided Boochie Ball. After everyone has had two turns, players approach the Boochie Ball to score the round. First to score 11 points wins. But watch out! The Boochie Ball may give points for being furthest away. Players set their wrist trackers, which reveal how they must play the next round, tossing, bowling, kicking, standing on one foot, squatting. For 2-4 players.

The company has submitted our safety verification form. Note, we did not test this independently in a lab.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A wonderful compartmentalized craft box with more than 300 pieces! An ideal box of supplies for playdates, rainy days or quiet summer afternoons. Comes with supplies that include 30+ yards of ribbon and yarn, multi-colored pom poms, glitter pom poms, pipe cleaners, rainbow craft sticks, feathers, scissors, and a whole lot more to get the creative juices flowing. They say 3 & up. We'd say many of these items would be slightly better with 4-7's. The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

This is a lot like the game of Simon, only instead of touching the right color you jump on or bend and tag the targets. Set it at level 1-2-or 3 and the game gets tougher at each level. Can be played solo or teams. Level one calls for color or number recognition. Level two adds trickier calls such as reverse and doubles. Level three and four calls for double digit numbers, reverse and faster harder calls. A challenging active game that develops listening skills as well as the need for quick responses. Can be played indoors and out. A good choice for play dates, party or sleepovers. 3 triple A batteries required. 6 & up.

The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

2009 Award

Wacky Scratch Deluxe Kit (Scratch-Art Co. $15.99 Score: )

Here’s a new look to scratch art! A kit with 16 drawing boards and a fine as well as medium point wood stylus reveals op art patterns when they are scratched. Do them free hand or use the stencils that include wacky faces and figures. Three frames are also included in this fun kit. A quiet time craft for kids from 5 & up. The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.